miR-137 inhibits melanoma cell proliferation through downregulation of GLO1

Late-stage melanoma is refractory to current therapies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can modulate many physiological and pathological processes of melanoma. Studies have demonstrated that miR-137 acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting the proliferation of melanoma cells through targeting multiple mRNAs. The glyoxalase system member glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) is the principal scavenging enzyme of methylglyoxal (MG), a toxic byproduct of glycolysis. Using ³⁵S in vivo/vitro labelling analysis for dynamic proteomics (SiLAD), we found that miR-137 downregulated the expression of GLO1 in melanoma cells. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that GLO1 is a direct target of miR-137. This was validated by dual luciferase reporter assay. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis indicated that miR-137 could decrease endogenous GLO1 expression. Furthermore, siRNA targeting of GLO1 mimicked inhibition of melanoma cell proliferation caused by miR-137 overexpression. Re-expression of GLO1 was able to restore miR-137-mediated suppression of melanoma cell proliferation. Therefore, these results suggest that miR-137 inhibits the proliferation of melanoma cells by targeting GLO1.     

Primary structure of the hemoglobin alpha-chain of rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

The structure of the hernoglobin -chain of Rose-ringed Parakeet was determined by sequence degradations of the intact subunit, the CNBr fragments, and peptides obtained by digestion with staphylococcal Glu-specific protease and trypsin. Using this analysis, the complete -chain structure of 21 avian species is known, permitting comparisons of the protein structure and of avian relationships. The structure exhibits differences from previously established avian -chains at a total of 61 positions, five of which have residues unique to those of the parakeet (Ser-12, Gly-65, Ser-67, Ala-121, and Leu-134). The analysis defines hemoglobin variation within an additional avian order (Psittaciformes), demonstrates distant patterns for evaluation of relationships within other avian orders, and lends support to taxonomic conclusions from molecular data.     

Proline in relation to free radical production in seedlings of Brassica juncea raised under sodium chloride stress

The production of malondialdehyde (MDA) was higher in cotyledons from NaCl-raised Brassica juncea seedlings than in control seedlings. Light accelerated the MDA-producing capacity of thylakoids isolated from both control and treated seedlings. When exposed to strong white light (920 mol photons m^-2 s^-1) the thylakoids from NaCl seedlings produced nearly 5 times more MDA than control thylakoids. In the cotyledons of NaCl seedlings, the proline level was 24-fold higher than in controls. The presence of proline during exposure of thylakoids to white light decreased MDA levels. The reduction in MDA production was higher in the thylakoids of NaCl seedlings than of controls. It is proposed that proline accumulation has an adaptive significance as it lowers the generation of free radicals and thus reduces the lipid peroxidation linked membrane deterioration under stress.     

Inhibitory effect of hena (Lawsonia inermis leaves) and carrot root on aflatoxin production byAspergillus parasiticus

Experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of some natural products (hena, and carrot root) on growth and aflatoxins production byAspergillus parasiticus FRR 2752. Powdered hena (0.5 and 5%) inhibited mycelial growth and delayed 1 sporulation ofA parasiticus during 7 days. The inhibition of growth was increased with increasing the added amount. Aflatoxins production byA parasiticus was reduced with 40–100% in the presence of hena (Lawsonia inermis leaves). Carrot root extract stimulated the fungal growth and aflatoxin production, whereas carrot root fibers slightly enriched fungal growth, inhibited aflatoxins production (B₁, G₁, and G₂), but there was no inhibition of aflatoxin B₂ production byA parasiticus.     

Phytoavailability and Leachability of Heavy Metals from Contaminated Soil Treated with Composted Livestock Manure

A study was carried out with maize as the test crop to investigate the bioavailability and leachability of heavy metals (HM) from HM-contaminated soils treated with composted manure. The application of composted manure increased the maize shoot growth by 32.3% and root growth by 30.5% compared with fresh manure. The concentration of HM in maize shoot varied in the order lead (Pb) > nickel (Ni) > zinc (Zn) > chromium (Cr) > copper (Cu) > cadmium (Cd). Whether for the shoot or root, the heavy metal concentrations decreased as the length of manure composting increased, but concentrations were higher in the root than the shoot. Composting decreased the bioavailability and leachability of HM and, hence, their export to the environment more effectively than direct use of fresh manure. Thus, the use of composted manure in place of fresh manure in polluted soils would be more beneficial for mitigating HM pollution.     

Exploring the calcium-binding site in photosystem II membranes by solid-state (113)Cd NMR

Calcium (Ca(2+)) is an essential cofactor for photosynthetic oxygen evolution. Although the involvement of Ca(2+) at the oxidizing side of photosystem II of plants has been known for a long time, its ligand interactions and mode of action have remained unclear. In the study presented here, (113)Cd magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR spectroscopy is used to probe the Ca(2+)-binding site in the water-oxidizing complex of (113)Cd(2+)-substituted PS2. A single NMR signal 142 ppm downfield from Cd(ClO(4))(2).2H(2)O was recorded from Cd(2+) present at the Ca(2+)-binding site. The anisotropy of the signal is small, as indicated by the absence of spinning side bands. The signal intensity is at its maximum at a temperature of -60 degrees C. The line width of the proton signal in a WISE (wide-line separation) two-dimensional (1)H-(113)Cd NMR experiment demonstrates that the signal arises from Cd(2+) in a solid and magnetically undisturbed environment. The chemical shift, the small anisotropy, and the narrow line of the (113)Cd NMR signal provide convincing evidence for a 6-fold coordination, which is achieved partially by oxygen and partially by nitrogen or chlorine atoms in otherwise a symmetric octahedral environment. The absence of a (113)Cd signal below -70 degrees C suggests that the Ca(2+)-binding site is close enough to the tetramanganese cluster to be affected by its electron spin state. To our knowledge, this is the first report for the application of solid-state NMR in the study of the membrane-bound PS2 protein complex.     

13C chemical shift map of the active cofactors in photosynthetic reaction centers of Rhodobacter sphaeroides revealed by photo-CIDNP MAS NMR

13C photo-CIDNP MAS NMR studies have been performed on reaction centers (RCs) of Rhodobacter sphaeroides wild type (WT) that have been selectively labeled with an isotope using [5-13C]-delta-aminolevulinic acid.HCl in all the BChl and BPhe cofactors at positions C-4, C-5, C-9, C-10, C-14, C-15, C-16, and C-20. 13C CP/MAS NMR and 13C-13C dipolar correlation photo-CIDNP MAS NMR provide a chemical shift map of the cofactors involved in the electron transfer process in the RC at the atomic scale. The 13C-13C dipolar correlation photo-CIDNP spectra reveal three strong components, originating from two BChl cofactors, called P1 and P2 and assigned to the special pair, as well as one BPhe, PhiA. In addition, there is a weak component observed that arises from a third BChl cofactor, denoted P3, which appears to originate from the accessory BChl BA. An almost complete set of assignments of all the aromatic carbon atoms in the macrocycles of BChl and BPhe is achieved in combination with previous photo-CIDNP studies on site-directed BChl/BPhe-labeled RCs [Schulten, E. A. M., Matysik, J., Alia, Kiihne, S., Raap, J., Lugtenburg, J., Gast, P., Hoff, A. J., and de Groot, H. J. M. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 8708-8717], allowing a comprehensive map of the ground-state electronic structure of the photochemically active cofactors to be constructed for the first time. The reasons for the anomaly of P2 and the origin of the polarization on P3 are discussed.     

Therapeutic Potential of Selected Medicinal Plant Extracts against Multi-Drug Resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi is Gram negative, rod shaped, facultative anaerobic bacterium, belongs to enterobacteriaceae family that causes typhoid fever in humans. This bacterium has become a super bug due to acquisition of multi drug resistance. Bacteria is transmitted through food and water contaminated with human feaces. Present study reports the screening of Adhatoda vasica, Amaranthus hybridus and Aloe barbadensis and their evaluation against multi-drug resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. Qualitative analysis of ten phytochemicals was conducted using chemical method and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). Antibacterial activity of plants was carried out by agar well diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar. Total tannins, total alkaloids and total flavonoids of different parts of three plants were estimated through spectrophotometer. Total tannins content in different parts of plants was present in the given order Amaranthus hybridus leaf > Aloe barbadensis leaf > Adhatoda vasica leaf > Adhatoda vasica flower > Adhatoda vasica stem. Whereas, the order of total flavonoid concentration was Amaranthus hybridus leaf > Aloe barbadensis leaf > Adhatoda vasica leaf > Amaranthus hybridus seed. Total alkaloids have order, Adhatoda vasica leaf > Amaranthus hybridus leaf > Adhatoda vasica flower > Amaranthus hybridus seed > Aloe barbadensis leaf. Results of phytochemical analysis suggested that plants have strong profile of antioxidants, total phenolic contents and various enzymes proposing them best alternate to cure bacterial infections. GC-MS analysis further confirmed stronger phytochemical profile that can be utilized as antagonists to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi.     

The solid-state photo-CIDNP effect

Photosynthesis Research - The solid-state photo-CIDNP effect is the occurrence of a non-Boltzmann nuclear spin polarization in rigid samples upon illumination. For solid-state NMR, which can detect...